Director: Kaushik Ghatak
Starring: Sonu Sood, Isha Koppikar, Alok Nath, Smita Jaykar
Information: Contains one scene of mourning
Running time: 136 mins
BBFC cert: U
Release date: 7 November 2008 by EROS International
Rating: 4/5
Trained in classical Indian music, Chandni (Eesha) comes from a small, poor family.听She meets rich guy Prem at a singing contest and immediately falls in love... soon leading to a traditional engagement celebration.
But fate intervenes as Chandni's father dies before the planned grand wedding. This leaves Chandni to shoulder the responsibility of looking after her young brother Anuj and sister Sandhya.
Left with no choice, Chandni puts her marriage and singing career on a 12-year back burner, earning a living as a music teacher to educate and bring up her siblings.
Prem patiently waits for his true love, while family members try to break his relationship with Chandni in this musical family melodrama.
In this day and age where weekly releases seem to feature comedy, action and science fiction, this family melodrama comes as refreshing change.
Debut director Ghatak successfully incorporates colourful weddings and religious rituals unravelling a make-believe tale full of family values and cultural traditions.
With songs and celebrations aplenty in the first half, the movie takes a very serious turn post-intermission, with intense emotions bringing tears to your eyes.
A traditional musical score and cinematography blend well with the family-orientated backdrop, creating a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of past box office hits like Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Saath Saath Hai.
Eesha Koppikhar gives a sincere and tear-jerking performance as the courageous Chandni, who rises above her own needs to look after her family in the hour of need.
Sonu Sood acts well as the respectful son and lover, who patiently wait for 12 long years to be with Chandni.
On the whole, Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi is a family entertainer appealing to audiences who like sentimental love stories and crave for traditional Hindi movies.
Reviewed by Manish Gajjar
大象传媒 Bollywood Correspondent
